Curtain or drape assembly



y 1949. J. A. MINARCIK, JR 2,476,887

CURTAIN OR DRAPE ASSEMBLY 2 SheetsShet 2 Filed Jan. 12, 1948 wind/lam? Patented July 19, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

The invention relates to adjustable curtain or shade supports of the character which may be readily and conveniently made accessible for changing or replacement purposes by the maid or housewife without, necessitating climbing upon a chair or ladder with consequent exposure to fall and injury.

The invention has for its objects to simplify and improve the structure as well as providing desirable advantages and economies therein.

A principal object of the invention is to provide a curtain or shade support comprising a fixed rotatable roller and housing therefor and a relatively bodily movable curtain or shade holding rod, all of which interconnected parts are capable of convenient longitudinal conforming adjustment so as to adapt the assembly for window or door frames of varying sizes or widths, thereby providing universal application of the assembly to any window or door opening in the home where varied curtain or drapery decorations are desired.

Another object of the invention is to obviate the necessity of providing separate fixed sizes of curtain or shade support assemblies for corresponding window or door frames of diflerent and varying widths.

A further object is to provide a curtain support assembly of the character described which may be economically manufactured and which is composed of relativel few cooperating parts designed for convenient installation in the home with a minimum of effort.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention Will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of the improved curtain hanger assembly shown in lowered position for adjustment or replacement purposes, relative to a window or door frame opening, the normal raised position of the assembly being indicated by dotted lines.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view in front elevation, partly broken away, of the releasable curtain and rod attaching means.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the attaching member or clip illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the curtain rod or supporting unit.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view in vertical section of r or plastic material.

the casing or housing for the curtain and tape supporting roller shown enclosed therein.

Fig. 7 is a further enlarged longitudinal sectional view through a portion of the roller, taken on line '!1 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a still further enlarged transverse section on line 8-8 of Fig. 7

Fig. 9 is a similar view on line 9-9 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail view in front elevation of one end of one of the roller members shown at the left in Fig. 6 with a portion removed.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged transverse section on line ll-H of Fig. 6, and

Fig. 12 is an exploded view of the spring tension and clutch controlling means for the roller section illustrated in Fig. 7.

In said drawings the casing or housing H! for the spring roller assembly is designed to be mounted in fixed adjusted position over the door or window frame F and includes two complementary elongated channel or cup shaped members Illa and lflb of substantial U-shape in cross section and which may be constructed of sheet metal The casing member Illa of slightly larger cross sectional dimension, is provided at its open or rear end with reversely turned integral flange portions I07 spaced slightly inwardly from the outer casing wall (Fig. 11) so as to provide interposed recesses or channels for sliding or telescoping engagement with the oppositel disposed non-flanged wall extremities I00 of the complementary casing or housing member lob. Casing member or section I M is provided adjacent one end with a vertically elongated clearance slot lfld on its forward curved wall, and the remaining complementary casing section lflb is similarl slotted adjacent its outer end as at lfle for a purpose to b described. The casing members or sections Mia and I 012 are respectively closed at their outer ends by rigid filler blocks or end wall members 10g and 10h.

For the purpose of suitably mounting the easing at the top of the door or window frame F, each housing member may be suitably apertured as at Mi for the reception therethrough of the outer ends of hook elements II which may be driven or screwed into the frame above the window or door opening. When the casing members or sections 10a and 1b are assembled as described in telescoping relation, it will be noted that the same may be longitudinally and relatively adjusted manually by reason of their interlocked sliding engagement, so as to fit or coman inner cylindrical member I2b of correspond-' ing less diameter and having a frictionalsliding fit within the roller element I2a as best seen in Figs. 6 and '7. Spaced rigidcylindrical guide members I20 and I 201 for the flexible curtain supporting members are provided respectively on the roller elements I'Za, I 2b adjacent their outer ends to the end that when the casing and roller are assembled (Fig. 6) the said guide elements may be respectively aligned in registry with opposite sides of the casing slots Hid, Ille,

For the purpose of mounting the assembled longitudinally adjustable roller within the casing or housing I0, one filler block Inn of the latter is provided with a central elongated recess I3 for the non-rotatatiive' reception therein of the flattened end I4 of a rod element I5 longitudinally and centrally housed within the roller section I2a and which projects at its outer end through a central aperture I6 in a screw or closure cap I'I threadedly secured as at Ila on the outer end of said roller section I2a. The corresponding outer end of the. roller section I Zbis provided with a cylindrical trunnion I8 rotatably journaled within a central recess I9 in the end filler block log of the casing member Illa,

'a fixed washer or anti-friction bearing plate 20 being interposed if desired between the adjacent end of the roller section I2b and the end block IIlg.-

The spring tension means for the roller comprises a coiled torsion spring surrounding the non-rotatable rod I5 and having its inner end projected through or otherwise rigidly secured as at'22 to the inner end of thezrodp The opposite 'or outer end 23 of the spring is clamped betweenopposed lug members 24 (Fig. 8) and secured at its extremity to a projecting lug member 25b, each of .such lugs being integrally formed on a cup-shaped element 25 suitably housed within the screw cap. I I fixed on the roller section I2a for rotation therewith, and constitut- '3 ing a part of a spring tensioned frictionclutch device. T V

The end wall 25a of the cup member 25 is provided with diametrically opposed radially projecting integral lugs 25b rigidly engaged with the recesses 250 (Fig. 12) in the inner cylindrical wall of the roller section I2ato .insureaga'inst relative rotation between the cup member and roller and constituting a fixed connection.

Said rotatable cup element 25 is centrally For this purpose the roller includes an',

4 disposed adjacent the outer open end of the cap element 25 of the clutch for the purpose of housing the pawl members when the cap is rotatably inserted within the end closure screw cap ll of the roller section I2a. A pair of longitudinally spaced split lock washers 32 are designed to seat within spaced circumferential grooves 33 on the rod I5 respectively on opposite sides of the assembled cup and washer element 25. and 3|, for

the purpose of holding the partsIin' -assembled relation.

The curtain or shade supporting rod is indi- I cated at 34 (Fig. 5) and as in the instance of the roller I2 and casing I0, is longitudinally ex- .their upper ends to the roller sections I2a and tensible for adjustment in conformity therewith. The rod unit comprises a central sleeve section 34a for slidably housing the inner ends of oppositely disposed rod elements 34b and 340, each preferably provided with intermediate offset flattened portions 35'and angularly disposed inwardly extending end portions 36 having spring clips 31 thereon. Said clip portions are not essential to the invention but are designed for,

removable insertion if desired .within' suitably apertured bracket elements 38 (Fig. 1) fixed to the frame F adjacent and beneath the casing and roller assembly, for the purpose of holding the 'curtain rod and its supported draperies against swingin movement.

The curtain, shade or desired drapery member or members are indicated at Cin Fig. l and may be provided at the upper margins with the ing the curtains in fixed relation to the Window frame. g

A pair of flexible tape elements 40 are fixed at 'of opposite spring tensioned and frictional rotation of bothroller sections I2a, I2b relative to the casing III. The free ends of the tape mem- 'bers extendthrough the casing slots Illdahd We and: are provided at their lower or free ends with curtain engaging clipmembers, generally designated at 42. Each clip member includes a pair of complementary opposed J'aw' elements 43 loose ly pivotally secured together'upon-a clamping loop element 44. One of the :jaw members 43 through which the loop element 44. looselyextends-is pivotally secured at its upper end 'to a pintle rod 45 and is further provided with a pair of oppositely disposed anti-friction rollers 46 loosely journaled thereon. The lower end of each flexible tape 40 extends around the pintle 45 and is hemmed or secured upon itself as indicated at 41. The flattened portions 35 ofthe curtain rod sections 341), 340 are respectively engaged between the jawportions 430i the clips 42 and are releasably secured to the rod and to adjacent portions of the assembled curtain members C; when the clamping rod element 44 is swung downwardupon theurtain rod 30. This-serves to rotate the roller l2 relative to the fixed spring supporting rod and unwind the tapes 4!; from the miller sections I26; and H6 against the tension of torsion spring 2 l thereby storing energy in the latter. The arrangementis such that downward pull on the tapes 40 rotates the spring roller sections lid, [2b the fixed cup member in one direction so that the pivoted pawl detents 29, 29a ride freely into and out of the aperture 30 of the non-rotating rod 15 fixed in the casing I0. I

After being lowered to an accessible position, the described friction clutch and pawl elements serve to hold the spring tapes against reverse winding movement under the ,urge of the spring, as in the instance of the usual shade roller. Such reverse rotation is prevented by gentle engagemerit of one or both of the pawl detents with the rod aperture 30, as will be apparent from Fig, 9. The thus lowered curtains or drapes C to a desired easily accessible position as shown in Fig. 1, may then be removed for cleaning and replaced by clean curtains or the like upon the curtain rod by first releasing and again attaching the clips 42 from the rod 34 as will be apparent. Thereafter the fresh or desired hanging drape assembly may be elevated by slightly drawing down upon the tapes to release the pawls from the rod aperture 30 thus permitting the stored tension of the spring 2| to elevate the tapes and curtain rod through reverse rotation of the roller l2 into elevated position adjacent the casing ID as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1.

During such reverse rotation of the roller under the urge of the spring, the pawls ride loosely over the opposite ends of the rod aperture 30 due to the relatively rapid return rotation of the roller In elevated position the anti-friction rollers 46 which may be covered with soft rubber if desired, engage on opposite sides of the casing apertures ltd, Hie to properly position the curtain assembly in elevated position and to insure against any tendency of the tapes to be unduly retracted into the casing apertures under spring tension with consequent possibility of jamming or wedging of the clip members 42 therein.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the described structure while broadly old for the purpose, is in a unitary economical assembly, which may be conveniently operated for the quick replacement of curtains, shades or drapes upon desired window or door frame of varying sizes or widths. Furthermore the described structure is such as to effectually protect the parts against dust accumulations and is capable of extreme ease of operations by the housewife without undue efiort or any danger of physical injury in replacing or installing the desired draperies.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the in vention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable curtain support comprising an elongated casing composed of a plurality of connected. telescoping members of substantial U- shape in cross section, opposed wall portions at the open side of one of said casing members having a slidable mounting within spaced channels donned by flanged wall portions at the open side or an adjacent casing member, a part longitudinally extensible roller journaled. at its opposite ends in said casing, a plurality of flexible connecting members respectively secured at one end thereof to spaced portions of said extensible roller, and a longitudinally extensible multiple part support rod secured at spaced portions thereof tothe opposite ends of said flexible connectingmembers, whereby said casing members may be longitudinally adjusted to fit a window or door frame of a given width, and said roller and support rod may be correspondingly longitudinally adjusted to conform to the adjusted length of said casing,

2. An adjustable curtain support comprising an elongated casing composed of a pair of apertured, connected telescoping sections having end walls, a pair of spring tensioned telescoping roller sec tions journaled at their outer ends in the end walls of said casing sections, a pair of flexible connecting members respectively secured at one end thereof to spaced portions of said roller and extending through the casing apertures for winding engagement with said roller sections, and'a longitudinally extensible curtain support rod including connected telescoping sections respectively removably secured to the opposite ends of said flexible connecting members, whereby said casing sections may be longitudinally adjusted to fit a window or door frame of a given Width and said roller and curtain support rod may be correspondingly longitudinally adjusted to conform to the adjusted length of said casing.

3. An adjustable curtain support comprising an elongated casing composed of a plurality of connected telescoping sections of U-shape in cross section, opposite side walls of one of said sections terminating in reversely bent spaced flanges forming elongated recesses for the sliding reception therein of the straight non-flanged opposite side walls of the other casing section, a multiple part spring tensioned telescoping roller rotatably mounted at its opposite ends in said casing sec tions, a plurality of flexible tapes respectively secured at one end between spaced guide flanges on said roller for winding engagement therewith, said tapes extending through apertures respectively formed in said casing sections, and a longitudinally extensible curtain support rod composed of connected telescoping members attached at spaced portions thereof to the opposite ends of said tapes, whereby said casing sections may be longitudinally adjusted While held against transverse displacement to span window or door frame openings of varying widths and said roller and support rod may be correspondingly longitudinally adjusted to conform to the adjusted length of said casing.

4. An adjustable curtain support comprising an elongated casing composed of a plurality of connected telescoping channel shaped sections, each of said sections having an aperture in the closed front wall thereof, a multiple part roller journaled at its opposite ends in said casing, said roller being composed of two connected telescoping cylindrical sections one of which is mounted for spring tensioned rotation relative to said casing, a plurality of flexible connecting tapes respectively secured at one end to spaced guide members on said roller for winding engagement thereon and extending through said casing apertures, and a longitudinally extensible curtain support rod composed of a plurality of connected telescoping members releasably 'attached *at roller and curtain support rod being correspondingly longitudinally adjustable to conform -to the .adjusted length of said casing.

. 5. An, adjustable curtain support comprising an elongated casing composed of, a pair of slidably interlocked telescoping sections of, U-shape in cross section having spaced apertures therein, a

two-part spring tensioned roller formed of telescoping sections journaled at its opposite ends in said casing sections, a pair of flexible tape members respectively secured at one end to spaced portions of said roller adjacent the opposite ends thereof and extending through said casing apertures, a longitudinally extensible multiple part curtain-support rod for attachment atspaced portions thereof tothe opposite ends of said flexible tape members, and a pair of releasable clamping. members connectedjto said rod and to the outer ends of said tape members, whereby said casing sections may be longitudinally adjusted to span window and door openings ofvarious sizes and said roller and curtain support'rod maybe correspondingly longitudinally adjusted to conform to the adjustedlength of said casing.

JOHN A. MINARCIK, JR.

REFERENCES CITED 7 The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 563,299 Nitzsche July 7, 1896 738,888 Driscoll et a1 Sept. 15, 1903 1,448,770 Schaefer Mar. 20, 1923 1,523,498 Stark Jan. 20, .925 1,529,983 Bond Mar. 1'7, 1925 1,562,313 7 Duncan Nov. 17, 1925 1,736,527 Garcia Nov. 19, 1929 '1,960,434 Doscher May 29, 1934 2,064,443 Moore Dec 15, 1936 

